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3-0 Sickles faces 3-0 Largo

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A Tribune staff report

Published: September 25, 2009

For the first time in school history, the Sickles football team is 3-0.

Gryphons coach Pat O'Brien said tonight's game is Sickles' biggest ever. The Gryphons host Largo (3-0) in a Class 4A-District 10 matchup.

At first glance, these teams are in different leagues. Sickles made its only playoff appearance in 2007, improving from 0-10 to 7-3. Last season, it was 3-7.

Largo, meanwhile, has become a state powerhouse under Coach Rick Rodriguez, running up a four-season record of 45-8. The Packers reached the Class 5A state semifinals the past two years, losing each time to eventual state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, currently the nation's No. 1 team according to USA Today.

"You don't get many opportunities to play in a game like this," O'Brien said. "We have full respect for Largo and what they have accomplished. It's a great measuring stick for us."

Sickles junior RB Carey White, who is Hillsborough County's leading rusher with three consecutive 100-yard games, said the Gryphons are excited.

"This is why you play, to be involved in games like this," White said. "We can't wait."

TOUGH TEST: Alonso QB C.J. Bennett and WR Justen Davis don't mince words. They agree Hillsborough defensive backs are the best they will face all season.

Led by S Terrence Mitchell, the Terriers shut out Chamberlain last week. In two games, Hillsborough has held its opponents to an average of 131 passing yards.

"They have great athletes in the backfield," Davis said. "They play disciplined and they swarm to the ball and cover a lot of ground."

The Ravens' offense is coming into its own following a 35-10 victory vs. Newsome, when they had 423 yards of offense, including 249 passing. Bennett, Hillsborough County's leading passer, has helped Alonso average 351 yards per game.

"Any time you put up numbers, people are going to come after you," Bennett said. "We just have to prove that we are good and come out and not try to do too much. We just have to play our game."

BLACKOUT PLANNED: If all goes as planned tonight, Hillsborough High's Chelo Huerta Field will be the site of the school's first "blackout" when the Terriers host Alonso.

That's when the football team will finally get to unveil its new black jerseys, supplied by Under Armour. The uniforms, which have white numbers bordered in red, will mark the first time in the program's history players will wear all black for a home game. According to Coach Earl Garcia, the Terriers became known as "The Big Red" because they have worn red uniforms for home games since 1904.

The blackout had been planned for Hillsborough's home game two weeks ago with longtime rival Plant. But foul weather canceled that meeting, and the Terriers had to wait to show off their new uniforms.

PERSUASION IS THE GAME: Middleton had 26 players, including junior varsity, when school started. Entering tonight's game with Robinson, Middleton's varsity has increased to 42, while the JV roster is at 38.

How did it happen? First-year coach Jason Stokes roamed the hallways at Middleton, persuading kids to join the football team.

"I was beating these hallways, getting kids," he said.

Katherine Smith, Nick

Williams, Joey Johnston

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